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Premier Barnett returns to hero's welcome

With a new-look cabinet still being finalised, Kim Hames was reconfirmed as Mr Barnett's deputy, while Peter Collier was chosen as leader of the government in the Legislative Council, replacing the retired Norman Moore.

The Premier was given a rousing reception by his MPs, including seven new faces, as he told them they had created history with a 58 per cent share of the two-party preferred vote.

Mr Barnett was duly re-elected as party leader and Premier.

He confirmed there would be changes to his cabinet but refused to say how many and how wide ranging they would be.

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The cabinet is set to be revealed on Wednesday after final Legislative Council results are announced.

"The two-party preferred vote of the Liberal Party at 58 per cent was the highest two-party preferred vote in the post-war period - a great result, and congratulations," Mr Barnett said.

"This will be a fresh government, so you can expect to see some changes, but that's something I'm yet to discuss with some of my colleagues.

"And I don't think anyone can expect a (front bench) position when they first come in."

Dr Hames said the Nationals were likely to retain three spots in the cabinet - although whether leader Brendon Grylls would keep hold of the influential regional development portfolio remained under wraps.

"They have got proportionally about the same number (of seats), and their ministers have been amongst our best ministers," Dr Hames said.

"So I am fully confident they would keep three ministers."

Speculation suggested Science Minister John Day would be able to name his cabinet role, which could see him in the important mines ministry.

The member for Riverton, Mike Nahan, could take on the energy portfolio after beating Hannah Beazley, the daughter of former Labor minister Kim Beazley, the current Australian ambassador to the US.

Ocean Reef Liberal MP Albert Jacob, 33, is a hot tip to join cabinet, after polling an astonishing 65 per cent of the popular vote.

In a recount in Midland, Labor powerbroker and former police minister Michelle Roberts was confirmed as the winner by just 24 votes, gaining one vote after more hours of scrutiny by the WA Electoral Commission.

Ten days after polling, the WA Electoral Commission was able to confirm most of the upper house representatives.

The list includes an historic berth for Rick Mazza of the WA Shooters and Fishers party in the Agricultural Region. His party just missed out on a second seat.

Veteran Greens MP Giz Watson was the most high-profile casualty, bowing out after attempting to move from the North Metropolitan region to the South West.

Hodson's daughter: Witness protection not safe

"I feel sorry for anyone coming into witness protection," says the tearful daughter of police informer Terence Hodson after the State Coroner delivered an open finding into his murder and that of his wife Christine in 2004.